BUSH TELEGRAPH Meaning and
Definition
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Bush Telegraph is a colloquial term that refers to a communication system employed in rural or remote areas, especially in African countries. Derived from the words "bush" (referring to the countryside or wilderness) and "telegraph" (indicating a method of long-distance communication), this phrase denotes an informal network through which news, information, and gossip are rapidly spread across vast distances.
The term originates from the practice of villagers in isolated regions using drums, smoke signals, or other traditional means to transmit messages and share knowledge. In this context, the bush telegraph acts as an equivalent to modern communication systems, such as telephones or the internet, which may be unavailable or unreliable in remote areas.
The bush telegraph relies on a close-knit community, where individuals disseminate information through verbal communication, passing messages person to person or directly to a broad audience. The speed and efficiency of the transmission are often impressive, enabling information to travel swiftly across long distances without the aid of digital technology or formal institutions.
Additionally, the bush telegraph has become a metaphorical expression that extends beyond its literal meaning. It can refer to the informal spread of information or rumors within any community or organization. Often associated with word-of-mouth communication, it highlights the swift and pervasive nature of information dissemination, particularly in areas where more conventional methods are limited.
Common Misspellings for BUSH TELEGRAPH
- vush telegraph
- nush telegraph
- hush telegraph
- gush telegraph
- bysh telegraph
- bhsh telegraph
- bjsh telegraph
- bish telegraph
- b8sh telegraph
- b7sh telegraph
- buah telegraph
- buzh telegraph
- buxh telegraph
- budh telegraph
- bueh telegraph
- buwh telegraph
- busg telegraph
- busb telegraph
- busn telegraph
- busj telegraph
Etymology of BUSH TELEGRAPH
The word "bush telegraph" is derived from two separate terms: "bush" and "telegraph".
1. Bush: The term "bush" refers to the untamed or remote areas, typically thick vegetation or woodland, found in rural or undeveloped regions. In Australian and African contexts, "bush" specifically refers to the wilderness or dense, uncultivated land.
2. Telegraph: The term "telegraph" originally referred to a method of long-distance communication that involved transmitting coded signals over long electrical wires. It was widely used in the 19th and early 20th centuries before the advent of telephones.
The combination of these two terms, "bush telegraph", refers to a system of communication used in remote or rural areas where there may be a lack of modern telecommunication infrastructure.
Idioms with the word BUSH TELEGRAPH
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bush telegraph
Bush telegraph refers to the informal communication system used in remote or isolated areas, where news and information are spread quickly through word of mouth or other non-electronic means. It essentially means the grapevine or rumour mill.
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the bush telegraph
"The bush telegraph" is an idiom used to refer to the informal network or system of communication that exists in a close-knit or isolated community, especially in rural or remote areas. It is a way for people to share information, news, and gossip through word of mouth or other informal means.
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